Pet carrier



Jan. 23, 1951 A. HALPlN 2,538,778

PET CARRIER Fileqoot. so, 1945 50 36 @Lmina m- 54 IN VEN TUR. 4/3 [3] 50. \49

Patented Jan. 2.115, 1951 UNITED STATES PA'ENT FFICE This invention relates to portable receptacles, for example of the collapsible type, and has particular reference to receptacles of the type adapted to serve as pet carriers.

One object of the invention is to provide a receptacle of the character described having improved means to facilitate its use as a pet carrier wherein an animal may be safely and comfortably housed with openings for lightand ventilation, and in which the light may be conveniently cut off at night-time according to the practice commonly employed with birds and the like.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a device of the nature set forth wherein a container is provided with a removable stiffening frame that is easily removable to permit convenient cleansing of the frame and of the container particularly if the device is employed as a pet carrier.

Another object of the inventionis to construct a portable receptacle of a collapsible nature, comprising a carrying handle and a stiiening frame, with improved means so that the handle is movably attached to the frame for removal of the latter without obstruction by the container Wall.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a portable receptacle of the class alluded to wherein a container of pliable material is associated with a novel collapsible stiffening frame therefor.

A further object of the invention is to furnish a device of the nature set forth having improved means for movably mounting a handle on a lportable receptacle so that the handle is movable inwardly of the container in an out of way or concealed position or for other purposes and is movable outwardly to serve as a carrier for the receptacle, with the handle being releasibly locked to maintain it in its outward position.

' Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved structure of a simple, compact and relatively inexpensive nature, which is durable and efficient in use, for accomplishing the various objects and purposes herein pointed out.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specication proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention comprises the novel features, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

In the drawing: Figure l is a perspective view showing a portable receptacle in the nature of a pet carrier embodying the invention and arranged to permit access of light and air thereinto.

Fig. 2 is a similar view also showing certain K flaps for cutting off access of light into the receptacle, one of these flaps being in open position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the portable receptacle in open position taken on lines 3-3.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View showing details for connecting the end flaps in inoperative position at the bottom of the receptacle.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the handle andthe means for movably mounting the same.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a somewhat enlarged view in side elevation of the collapsible frame in expanded position, removed from the container section, and with the handle being in dropped position.

Fig. l8 is a sectional view takenvon line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a side View ofthe frame in collapsed position.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined,'but useful embodiments may be produced involving less than the Whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several dii-ferent constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing a preferred exemplication of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing l denotes a portable receptacle embodying the invention, The same may include an outer container il of a pliable or flexible material which may be canvas, leather or composition fabric, and is preferably of a Water-proef nature. This container includes a bot-tom portion l2, side walls I3 anda top wall l, but it may be of any suitable size and shape. One or both ends of this container may be opened, and preferably such openings extend over the full area of the container. Provided for each end opening are closure members l5 hingedly or foldably connected to the bottom wall l 2. Each of these closure members may have a marginal flange i6 connected to the main body of the con= taner Il by any suitable detachable fasteners such as slide fasteners I1. As thus far described it will be apparent that the container II may constitute a case for luggage or other articles and it will be clear that as a luggage case the container I I may be arranged to open in any suitable manner well known in the art. For use as a pet carrier, the members I are provided with perforated elements or wire screens I8 connected thereto in any feasible manner and serving to admit light and air into the container. To cut off the admission of light into the container flaps I8 and I9a are foldably or hingedly connected to the bottom wall I2 as at 20. When not in use, these flaps are adapted to fold toward each other suiciently to overlap each other as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. For securing them in' position, any detachable fastening means may be employed such as snap fasteners 2i and 22. The former includes a male member 23 affixed to the bottom wall I2 and a female member 2G aihXed to one of the flaps I. The fastener 22 includes a male member 25 affixed to the flap Illa and a female member 2t secured to the flap I9. rThus the flap I9 is iirst secured at 2l and then the nap ISa is secured at E2. When the flaps are folded upward to overlie the doors l5 as shown in Fig. 2 the female member 26 is engaged with a male member 21 on the adjacent door I5. For similarly securing the flap I9 the latter may have a femaleV member 28 engageable with a male member 21 on the door adjacent thereto. When the flaps I9 and Illa are thus secured in overlying relation to the doors l5, if the slide fasteners l? are opened, the door and its cooperating flap may be opened and' closed as a unit. When the door is thrown open into a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 3 an animal may walk into or out of the container II.

For maintaining the collapsible container lll in expanded position the same may he provided with a frame Sli which is desirably collapsible for compactness to the position shown in Fig. lid. As hereinafter vapparent this frame is removable but it may also be permanently affixed to the container il and collapsed therein; but for certain i purposes it is preferred that the frame be removable 'to facilitate cleaning of the receptacle. The frame 30 may comprise a plate Si consisting of composition material, metal, wood o'r ber board and is almost coextensive with t bottom wall I2. Afxed to the base 3l is a .p ality of rela,- tively short arms or standards which may be in the nature of angle members set into the base 3l and affixed thereto with the aid of projections or screws 33. These arms 3:?. form opposed pairs that are in parallel relation to each other. Located between the arms of each pair and pivotally mounted thereon at Eli is a frame member which may be of inverted U-shaped form .adapted to conform to the expanded container Il. The frame members 35 are freely swingable toward each other as indicated in 1,0 and are .pre1- Vented from pivoting away from each other by stop lugs 3S formed on the arms 32. To maintain the frame members 35 in upright position a releasable snap spring engagement may be provided adjacent to each pivot 3d. This may inn clude a spring, and for simplicity, spring action may .be furnished by the member 35 itself, the same having depressions 3l to receive the teats'l formed on the arms 32. The arrangement is such that the parts 3%, 31 and Se form spring hinges which are automatically engaged when the members 35 are swung into vertical position and are disengaged by forcing these members downwardi ly and toward each other. At their upper portions, the members 35 may be formed with inverted U-shaped portions 39 in central relation thereto, and underlying these portions are strip springs secured to the frame members 35 at QI and shaped to conform to the latter, these springs also having downwardly bent entrance lips 62. Movably mounted on the frame members 35 is a bar d3 having ears Il@ for slidably receiving the members 35. These ears are of sunicient size to pass the hinge structure for the members 35, but otherwise relatively snugly engage these members so as to avoid rattling or the like. In the collapsed position, the bar d3 is moved downwardly along the frame members 35 and past the hinges so as to lie upon the base at a side thereof as shown in Fig. l0. In operative position, the bar 3 lies at the top of the frame members 35 and is engaged in the offsets 39, being held thereon by the springs The bar #33 is movable into this position by engaging the lips 42 as the bar moves upwardly, thus defiecti'ng its springs Il!) downwardly. Accordingly, in the fully expanded position of the frame the bar i3 serves as a positive lock to prevent accidental movement of the frame members 35 toward each other into eollapsed position. Accordingly the resilient engaging portions at 3l and 38 may be omitted.

Mounted on the bar #i3 is a handle l5 adapted to extend through a slot i3 in 'the container II. Preferably this handle is hingedly or sldably mounted on the bar i3 so that it may be readily depressed or swung aside to facilitate its disengagement from the slot 4S and thus to .permit removal of the frame Si: from the container lI. Preferably the handle is mounted so as to `be movable inwardly and outwardly of the container II by an upright movement so that it may be positioned out oi the way or concealed within the container, these functions having particular utility wh'en the portable receptacle is to be used as a luggage case or is to be collapsed into a highly compact position. Hence the handle d'5 which is of generally inverted U-shaped form is affixed in any suitable manner at it to a bar or plate s1 that underlies 'the bar d3, with the arms of the handle passing through the openings or slots t9 in the bar 53.

For certain purposes, as in the event that the portable receptacle is used as a pet carrier, it is desirable that the handle shall be locked in its outward extending position .so that it may not occupy space within the receptacle and annoy the animal contained therein. Preferably the locking engagement is one which is operative directly by manipulation of the handle 45. Accordingly another path of movement is provided for the handle as by making the opening i8 in the form ofr a slot longer than the handle. In the bar 133 there are provided slots 49 for the different arms of the handle. Secured to the bar 43 are headed pins 55 which .depend .therefrom for engagement in the key hole slots 5I formed in the bar i-l. The arrangement is such that the handle d5 may be grasped and pulled upwardiy to enter the pins 5G in the key hole slots after which the handle is moved in a horizontal direction with a corresponding movement of the `bar 41, causing the same to be locked by the pins 50 against the bar d5. In a sense it will be seen that the bar l1 constitutes an enlarged anchor head permanently ailixing the handle to the bar i3. If it be desired to depress the handle 15, it is mov-ed horizontally in an opposite direction so that the bar el' `dlsengages the pins '5t whereupon downwardly bent linger piece portions 52 to per-` mit is to be easily manipulated.

The manner of using the invention will now be briefly described. As already pointed out the portable receptacle may be used as a luggage case or as an animal carrier subject to minor changes in construction. If used as an animal carrier a cushion 53 may be placed therein on the base board 3I. The animal is received in the receptacle and the doors I5 closed by means of the zipper I1 permitting light and air to freely enter through the screens I8, while the naps I9 are folded under the bottom and secured neatly in an out of the way position. If it be desired to cut off access of light to the receptacle the flaps may be folded upwardly and secured to overlie the doors I5. When thus positioned the doors I5 and their flaps may be opened and closed as units by operation of the snap fasteners Il. If the portable receptacle is not in use it may be collapsed into a compact position or it may be otherwise manipulated to facilitate cleansing. The collapsing operation may be accomplished while the frame is in the receptacle container I I, or the frame may be first removed therefrom. In either case the handle 45 is moved horizontal to unlock it and is then dropped to the position of Fig. 7 to disengage it from the slot 48. Now the bar 43 may be moved laterally and downwardly along the frame members and out of tht springs 40, to permit the bar 43 to lie below the hinges 34 as shown in Fig. 10. The frame members 35 may be then moved toward each other to thus fully collapse the frame.. In this position it will be noted that the handle does not form an obstruction against the side wall of the containerA I I. When thus collapsed the aps preferably lie underneath the container together with the doors I5, or the latter may be moved inwardly into the container as preferred. To expand the portable receptacle for use, if the frame has been removed therefrom, it is readily inserted into the container I I through one ofthe end portions thereof. The bar 43 is moved upwardly over the springs 42 and into engagement with the offsets 39, after the frame members 35 have been swung upwardly. Then the handle 45 is manipulated to lock it in its outwardly projecting position.

I claim: f

1. A portable, collapsible carrier for animals, including a receptacle of pliant material having an end opening, a frame removably tted in the receptacle through said end opening to maintain the receptacle expanded, the receptacle having a v perforated portion for admitting light and air and having a closure door for the end opening,4a movable handle for the frame, the receptacle having an opening through which the handle is adapted toy protrude, and means movably connecting the handle to the frame for movement of the latter to protruding positionk and to retracted position in the receptacle, the frame being removable without obstruction by the handle when the latter is in the retracted position, and said means being adapted to normally maintain the handle in its protruding position to avoid interference thereof with an animal in the receptacle.

2. A portable receptacle including a collapsible container of pliable material, a base member therein, a pair of inverted U-shaped frame elements, means on the base member pivotally mounting the frame elements at points spaced above the base member, said frame members being swingable downwardly into collapsed position, and means for releasably maintaining the frame members upright to thus maintain the container expanded, including a bar engaged with the frame members and slidable therealong to a first position below the hinge connections to permit the swinging movement of the frame members, and to a second position at the top of the frame members to form a brace therebetween to assist in f maintaining the frame members upright.

3. A portable receptacle according to claim 2 including releasable means maintaining said bar in the second position.

4. A portable receptacle according to claim 2 including releasable means comprising a resilient element lying in the path of the bar and engageable by the bar as the latter is moved to the sec-V ond position to maintain it in that position.

5. A portable receptacle according to claim 2 including Ya carrying handle for the container, said container having an opening through which the handle is adapted to project from the container, and means mounting the handle on the bar so that the handle is movable into a retracted position relative to the bar to facilitate movement of the latter to the rst position without obstruction of the handle by the walls of the container.

6. The portable receptacle comprising a collapsible container formed with a slot in a top wall and an end opening, a foldable frame for expanding the container removable through the end opening when collapsed, a retractable handle mounted on said frame for projecting through Said slot when in an extendedcarrying position REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Vfile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 440,061 Reynolds Nov. 4, 1890 880,347 Allgire Feb. 25, 1908 1,103,646 Baddeley July 14, 1914 1,177,068 Vaughan Mar. 28, 1916 1,268,124 Jennings June 4, 1918 1,343,195 Chilton June 15, 1920 1,495,752 La Rue May 27, 1924 1,869,071 McLean July 26, 1932 2,049,884 Wurster et al Aug. 4, 1936 2,079,458 Leichtfuss May 4, 1937 2,133,590 Stopper Oct. 18, 1938 2,170,379 Ortt Aug. 22, 1939 2,189,920 Mulnix Feb. 13, 1940 2,332,999 Garvey Oct. 26, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date v635 Great Britain of 18,83 21,100 Great Britain of 1908 

